Final answer:
Using models to represent the universe's structure is beneficial because they simplify complex systems for study, enable simulations of phenomena beyond direct observation, and serve as frameworks for visualizing scientific concepts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Using a model to show the structure of the universe offers a significant advantage to science. A scientific model acts as a simplified representation of complex systems, which can be incredibly useful in understanding the vast intricacies of the universe. Models are advantageous because they allow scientists to study systems that are too difficult to examine directly or that cannot be observed directly by humans.
For instance, three-dimensional models and computer simulations can effectively demonstrate processes such as the formation of stars and planets, which happen at scales or speeds beyond direct human observation. By adjusting variables within these models, scientists can explore how different factors influence cosmic events and can even virtualize experiments to predict the outcomes of conditions not readily testable in the real world.
Furthermore, scientific models encapsulate years of data and theory, such as the assumptions of general relativity to explain the cosmos. This enables the creation of the standard model of cosmology, which helps to explain large-scale observations, such as the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and the expansion of the universe.
Despite language limitations in conveying the complexity of these phenomena, models provide a framework for testing hypotheses and visualizing concepts that otherwise remain abstract.